Injury Strikes Atlanta Braves Third Baseman
The Atlanta Braves have been dealt a significant blow as their third baseman, Austin Riley, has suffered a fractured right hand, sidelining him for the next six to eight weeks. This injury was confirmed by an MRI following an incident where Riley was hit by a pitch from Los Angeles Angels reliever Jack Kochanowicz.
Riley's Impactful Season
Before the injury, Riley was having a noteworthy season. He held a batting average of .256/.322/.461, complemented by 19 home runs and 26 doubles over 110 games. Since May of this year, his performance has shown a commendable uptick, improving to .275/.339/.531. Notably, heading into June, his slash line stood at a more modest .228/.295/.353, highlighting the significant strides he made as the season progressed.
Potential Return Timeline
If Riley can recover on the earlier side of the six to eight-week estimate, there is hope that he might return during the final week of the regular season. Eyes are on the Braves’ three-game home series against the New York Mets starting on September 24 as a potential comeback window. However, if his recovery stretches to the full eight weeks, Riley would be absent for the remainder of the regular season and could miss the initial rounds of the postseason.
Challenges for the Braves
The news of Riley's injury adds to a season already marred by setbacks for the Braves. Ace pitcher Spencer Strider made only two starts before a UCL tear ended his season. All-Star second baseman Ozzie Albies has also been missing from the lineup for nearly a month due to a wrist fracture. Additionally, Ronald Acuña Jr. has been out since early June with a season-ending ACL tear. Max Fried, returning from forearm neuritis, has struggled to regain his form.
Braves’ Current Standing
Despite these challenges, the Braves currently hold a narrow two-game lead over the New York Mets for the third and final National League wild card spot. The San Francisco Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals are trailing the Braves by four and five games, respectively, in the wild card race. Furthermore, the Braves are striving to close a seven-game gap with the first-place Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East. It's an uphill battle, but the team has clinched the NL East title for the past six seasons.
Next Steps Without Riley
To fill the void left by Riley, Luke Williams is expected to step in as the primary third baseman. Williams will need to rise to the occasion, given the pivotal moments that lie ahead for the Braves.
The Braves' resilience will be tested as they navigate the remainder of the season. With star players sidelined, young talents and seasoned professionals alike must step up. Atlanta's success will hinge on their ability to adapt and persevere through yet another injury to a key player.